Evidence Based Treatments that Work

ERP - CBT - DBT - EMDR - Mindfulness
​Teen Counseling provides a safe space for your teenager to explore feelings and behaviors, to identify new ways to understand and solve problems, develop healthy coping mechanisms and feel less stuck in daily life. Developing a strong therapeutic relationship with the right professional is key. When teens feel that a therapist listens to them in a non-judgmental manner, defenses loosen, they feel understood and valued, and it becomes possible for them to speak more openly. At this point, a teen and therapist can work together to pinpoint the dynamics that are holding him or her back academically, emotionally or socially.
My work with teens and young adults includes:
OCD/ERP
Depression/Anxiety/Suicidal thoughts
​High-functioning Autism/ Asperger's / ADHD
Low self-esteem
School Refusal
​College transition
Self-harm
parent - child conflict
​Trauma and PTSD
If your teen is in an immediate crisis you need help from an experienced professional right away. 

​I've helped families in the South Bay for over 10 years.  I will collaborate with any other providers involved in your child's treatment and will always be responsive to parents as well.  I understand that when your child struggles your whole family suffers.

Here is a form widely used by professionals to create a safety plan for your child.  You may find it useful as well.    ​Safety plan

Q & A on Depression and Anxiety in Teens:

 Anxiety in Teens:

Teens today have more pressure than ever, in school and out, and often feel tremendous amounts of stress.  Working with a therapist is a sure way to calm your teen’s anxiety by helping him or her learn self-soothing and calming techniques to manage their symptoms in their everyday lives.  ​
WHAT IS AN ANXIETY DISORDER
​Anxiety at times is normal throughout a child’s development into adolescence and can help us to cope by getting us through a tense situation, cause us to study harder for an exam, or keep focused on an important speech.1 Young children usually grow out of normal short-lived fears such as being afraid of the dark, storms, animals, being separated from a parent, or strangers, but children and teens with an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness and start to avoid places and activities.2,3  A child with an anxiety disorder cannot be comforted or reassured to get past his or her fear and anxiety.
What are the symptoms of an anxiety dISORDER?
Anxiety disorders have some common traits:
  • Each disorder has a trigger, a situation or object, which causes fear and anxiety.
  • The amount of fear and anxiety is excessive and lasts well beyond a normal experience. Children and adolescents with anxiety may voice a specific worry or fear, which they may not realize is excessive or unreasonable.
  • Anxiety disorders often last at least 6 months.
  • Your child may show physical symptoms of fear and anxiety such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and sweating or complain of a stomachache or headache.
  • Children may avoid situations or things that they fear, or endure them with anxious feelings, which can be expressed by crying, tantrums, clinging, and avoidance.
  • Children and teens with an anxiety disorder may also be diagnosed with depression, eating disorders, and ADHD.3 The National Institute of Mental Health reports about 8% of teens ages 13-18 have an anxiety disorder, with symptoms commonly appearing at age 6.1  Adolescents suffering from an anxiety disorder tend to have more severe symptoms than children, are more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder than children, and are more likely to refuse to go to school.7
​
what Causes an anxiety dISORDER?
​Science has not identified one single cause of anxiety disorders, developing an anxiety disorder is usually the result of biological and environmental risk factors. Genetics and your child’s temperament or innate personality style play an important role in predisposing children to anxiety disorders. For example, a child who is innately cautious, quiet and shy is more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.4  Adverse childhood experiences can also contribute to risk for developing anxiety disorders.8
What can be done to treat an anxiety dISORDER?
Anxious children and teens can be quiet, compliant, and eager to please which may make it difficult to realize a child is struggling with anxiety or fear.2 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on the relationships between negative or automatic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and can help children and young people to deal with anxiety by using new ways of thinking.6,9  CBT has been shown to be significantly more effective than no therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety. The National Institute of Mental Health has found that CBT, given with or without medication, can effectively treat anxiety disorders in children.1,9 Anxiety disorders are no one’s fault. However, they can complicate and add stress to your family life. Building a support network of friends and relatives helps.6
​
​

Depression in Teens:

it may be difficult to tell if your child is going through a temporary “phase” or is suffering from depression.  When symptoms last for a short period of time, it may be a passing case of “the blues” but if they last for more than two weeks and interfere with regular daily activities, family, and school life, your child should be evaluated for a depressive disorder.1
When a child has a depressive disorder, symptoms of depression appear as a distinct shift from your child or teen’s previous functioning.5  Parents usually notice a change in their child’s behavior, or a teacher may mention the child “doesn’t seem to be himself”.6
Are symptoms of depression different in Teens and adults?
Yes, depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. The following symptoms are more common in teenagers than in their adult counterparts:
Irritable or angry mood. As noted, irritability, rather than sadness, is often the predominant mood in depressed teens. A depressed teenager may be grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated, or prone to angry outbursts.
Unexplained aches and pains. Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism. Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular problem for “over-achievers.”
Withdrawing from some, but not all people. While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.10
How to help a depressed teenager
Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that worrisome symptoms will go away. If you suspect that your teen is depressed, bring up your concerns in a loving, non-judgmental way. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing are signs of a problem that should be addressed.
Open up a dialogue by letting your teen know what specific depression symptoms you’ve noticed and why they worry you. Then ask your child to share what he or she is going through—and be ready and willing to truly listen. Hold back from asking a lot of questions (most teenagers don’t like to feel patronized or crowded), but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.
How to communicate with a depressed teen

Focus on listening, not lecturing.  Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating. You’ll do the most good by simply letting your teen know that you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally.
Be gentle but persistent.  Don’t give up if they shut you out at first. Talking about depression can be very tough for teens. Even if they want to, they may have a hard time expressing what they’re feeling. Be respectful of your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.
Acknowledge their feelings.  Don’t try to talk your teen out of depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Well-meaning attempts to explain why “things aren’t that bad” will just come across as if you don’t take their emotions seriously. Simply acknowledging the pain and sadness they are experiencing can go a long way in making them feel understood and supported.
Trust your gut. If your teen claims nothing is wrong but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behavior, you should trust your instincts. If your teen won’t open up to you, consider turning to a trusted third party: a school counselor, favorite teacher, or a mental health professional. The important thing is to get them talking to someone.10
  ​Other Resources:
1 National Institute of Mental Health
2 AACAP – Anxiety Disorder in Children
3 ADAA- Living with Anxiety in Children
4 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
5 Anxiety and Depression Association of America
6 NAMI – Anxiety Disorders in Children and Teens
7 Journal of Affective Disorders
8  Cochrane – CBT For Anxiety in Children
9  Helpguide.org - Parents Guide to Teen Depression